Each wind farm is a complex installation, being a set of different devices, installed both on land and at sea. For this reason, the construction of such a farm is – most often – associated with the need to involve many entities. This is why offshore wind is such a good business opportunity. Also for Polish companies.
Polish companies and offshore wind
An interesting example of the possibilities of Polish companies on the offshore wind market is the activity of ALWO – a company providing technology for the offshore industry, specializing in the production of fans necessary for cooling various types of machinery used at sea. These fans, it turns out, can also find application in offshore wind farms.
Well, ALWO is participating in the construction of the BorWin6 offshore energy link to serve wind farms located in the North Sea. One of the key elements of this project is a relay-transformer station located above the surface of the water, about 190 km into the North Sea. It will allow electricity to be transmitted from sea to land – via a 980 MW undersea connection. ALWO will supply fans to dissipate heat from the station.
Supply chain for offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea
The wind energy potential in the Baltic area under Poland’s jurisdiction – with a view to 2050 – is estimated at as much as 33 GW, making us the leaders among all countries with access to the Baltic Sea. This is a huge opportunity for companies operating on the Vistula. A market survey carried out some time ago by the Polish Wind Energy Association shows that there are more than 300 companies in Poland which can engage in supplying components necessary for the construction of offshore wind farms. Most opportunities arise in the production and supply of wind power components other than turbines.
At the same time, almost always involvement in offshore wind projects requires a considerable amount of money and the possession of appropriate resources, especially technological ones. Therefore, in order to compete in this market with existing players, you need to bet on development. Without it, a business opportunity such as the construction of Polish wind power in the Baltic Sea may pass us by.